Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-08-25

"Thank ye, miss; mine Is Maggie Mitch
ell, and Mrs. Clayton sent me TO fetch We
down TO breakfast"
So saying she led the way to the break
fast-room. 1t was a large, lofty room:
and the table, at which the family were
already seated, was glittering with cut
glass and silver. There were at the
table Mrs. Clayton, her husband, a stolid.
corpulent man Of fifty, perhaps, Miss Ar
mund, the two boys / had seen in the gar
den, and little girl of about my own age, /
thought, though / afterward discovered
that she and her brother were twins:
therefore she was two years my senior. But
she was certainly the most strikingly-hand-
some child had ever seen. To me, in fact,
she looked as / might have imagined an
angel would. She was fair as the lily, with
a soft, rose tint in either cheek; her hair
was golden as a sunbeam, her eyes blue as
the sky in June, and her lips like wet coral
She was seated near her mother, and gave
me cold stare of indifference when took
my place beside her. No one spoke; the
very ar seemed oppressive. Taken alto
gether, 1T was a most uncomfortable meal,
and felt glad when it was ended
The children Immediately withdrew wlen
breakfast was over. l remained staining
by Miss Armund, hardly knowing what 10
do. Mr.. Clayton arose, and placing his
hands in his pockets, regarded me IN a
questioning manner for q few moments.
and then asked: 'What is this child here
for, Lenalr
His tone was more the one of a servant
addressing master than that of husband
addressing a wife, thought.
Mrs Clayton flushed angrily at the sues
ton, but her voice was steady enough when
she answered him.
"She is protege Of my friend, Miss
Armund,n she said
"Ohl obi yes; very fine one, Miss
Armund, he said, suavely.
THANK YOU" was Miss Armund's chilly
reply.
Eyes, yes, ma'am; not OF ALL" and taking
his hat, he hastily left the room.
Again strange stiffness fell upon us.
Mrs. Clayton had Isen and gone to the win
dow, where she stood idly heating
against the panes with her white
jeweled fingers. Miss Armund sat still and
grave, the hard lines around her mouth
harder and grimmer than ever. She clasped
her large, bony hands together and looked
like one who struggled with great passion
OF hate or remorse, but her face cleared Mt
last. A look Of deep determination took
the place of the frown upon her features
She broke the oppressive silence in her
usually quick, abrupt way
" am going now, Lena" she said, ''but
want to say to you before l go that have
brought this child here for the purpose of
educating and taking care Of her. | wish
you to treat her as you treat your own chill
dren. Allow her the same privileges you
allow them, and am content 1t Is" she
continued, thoughtfully, "but small recon.
pense for the wrong done her, but it will
sufice. Carry out my instructions and you
need do no more; but l wish tn I'm carried
out, mind you,n and her voice grew stern
"You understand me, Lenal"
Mrs. Clayton had turned from the window
at Miss Armunds first words, and re.
manned quiet and attentive to what she was
saying. Her face betrayed no expression
but that of extreme Indifference; but at
Miss Armund's question: "Do you under.
stand me, Lena" she raised her head and
answered, coldly:
Your instructions shall be regarded,
Miss Armund."
Every well. Tell James to get the car.
rage. will be ready in a moment. can
not just say when / will come again" in
answer to Mrs. Clayton's polite invitation,
which l could not help thinking was given
under protest
Miss Armund came toward me then and
he'd out her hand. Goodbye, Dorcas,"
was all she said, and shyly repeated good
bye. Then her lank form disappeared in
the doorway and she was gone.